<PAGE>
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Filed by the Registrant /X/
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant / /
Check the appropriate box:
/ / Preliminary Proxy Statement
/ / Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule
14a-6(e)(2))
/X/ Definitive Proxy Statement
/ / Definitive Additional Materials
/ / Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section240.14a-11(c) or
Section240.14a-12
COASTCAST CORPORATION
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
</TABLE>
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
/X/ No fee required.
/ / Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1)
and 0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
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(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
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(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the
filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
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(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
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(5) Total fee paid:
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/ / Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
/ / Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act
Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was
paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement
number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
(1) Amount Previously Paid:
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(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
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(4) Date Filed:
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<PAGE>
COASTCAST CORPORATION
3025 EAST VICTORIA STREET
RANCHO DOMINGUEZ, CALIFORNIA 90221
(310) 638-0595
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON JUNE 21, 2000
To the Shareholders of COASTCAST CORPORATION:
You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of
Coastcast Corporation, a California corporation (the "Company"), which will be
held at the Company's facility located at 14831 Maple Avenue, Gardena,
California, at 10:00 a.m., California time, on Wednesday, June 21, 2000, to
consider and act upon the following matters, all as more fully described in the
accompanying Proxy Statement which is incorporated herein by this reference:
1. To elect a board of seven directors to serve until the next annual
meeting of the Company's shareholders and until their successors have
been elected and qualify;
2. To ratify the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company's
independent auditors for fiscal year 2000; and
3. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting
or any adjournment thereof.
Shareholders of record of the Company's common stock at the close of
business on April 24, 2000, the record date fixed by the Board of Directors, are
entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the meeting.
THOSE WHO CANNOT ATTEND ARE URGED TO SIGN, DATE, AND OTHERWISE COMPLETE THE
ENCLOSED PROXY AND RETURN IT PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. ANY SHAREHOLDER
GIVING A PROXY HAS THE RIGHT TO REVOKE IT ANY TIME BEFORE IT IS VOTED.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Norman Fujitaki
Secretary
Rancho Dominguez, California
April 28, 2000
<PAGE>
COASTCAST CORPORATION
3025 EAST VICTORIA STREET
RANCHO DOMINGUEZ, CALIFORNIA 90221
(310) 638-0595
PROXY STATEMENT
APPROXIMATE DATE PROXY MATERIAL FIRST SENT
TO SHAREHOLDERS: MAY 5, 2000
The following information is given in connection with the solicitation of
proxies for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Coastcast Corporation, a
California corporation (the "Company"), to be held at the Company's facility
located at 14831 Maple Avenue, Gardena, California, at 10:00 a.m., California
time, on Wednesday, June 21, 2000, and adjournments thereof (the "Meeting"), for
the purposes stated in the Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders preceding
this Proxy Statement.
SOLICITATION AND REVOCATION OF PROXIES
A form of proxy is being furnished herewith by the Company to each
shareholder, and, in each case, is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors
of the Company for use at the Meeting. The entire cost of soliciting these
proxies will be borne by the Company. The Company may pay persons holding shares
in their names or the names of their nominees for the benefit of others, such as
brokerage firms, banks, depositaries, and other fiduciaries, for costs incurred
in forwarding soliciting materials to their principals. Members of the
Management of the Company may solicit some shareholders in person, or by
telephone, telegraph or telecopy, following solicitation by this Proxy
Statement, but will not be separately compensated for such solicitation
services.
Proxies duly executed and returned by shareholders and received by the
Company before the Meeting will be voted FOR the election of all seven of the
nominee-directors specified herein and FOR the ratification of the selection of
Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company's independent auditors for fiscal year
2000, unless a contrary choice is specified in the proxy. If a specification is
indicated as provided in the proxy, the shares represented by the proxy will be
voted and cast in accordance with the specification made. As to other matters,
if any, to be voted on, the persons designated as proxies will take such actions
as they, in their discretion, may deem advisable. The persons named as proxies
were selected by the Board of Directors of the Company and each of them is a
director of the Company.
Under the Company's bylaws and California law, shares represented by proxies
that reflect abstentions or "broker non-votes" (i.e., shares held by a broker or
nominee which are represented at the Meeting, but with respect to which such
broker or nominee is not empowered to vote on a particular proposal) will be
counted as shares that are present and entitled to vote for purposes of
determining the presence of a quorum. Any shares not voted (whether by
abstention, broker non-vote or otherwise) will have no impact on the election of
directors, except to the extent that the failure to vote for an individual
results in another individual receiving a larger proportion of votes. Any shares
represented at the Meeting but not voted (whether by abstention, broker non-vote
or otherwise) with respect to the proposal to ratify the selection of Deloitte &
Touche LLP will have no effect on the vote for such proposal except to the
extent the number of abstentions causes the number of shares voted in favor of
such proposal not to equal or exceed a majority of the quorum required for the
Meeting (in which case the proposal would not be approved).
Your execution of the enclosed proxy will not affect your right as a
shareholder to attend the Meeting and to vote in person. Any shareholder giving
a proxy has a right to revoke it at any time by either (i) a later-dated proxy,
(ii) a written revocation sent to and received by the Secretary of the Company
prior to the Meeting, or (iii) attendance at the Meeting and voting in person.
1
<PAGE>
VOTING SECURITIES AND PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS
The Company has outstanding only common stock, of which 7,701,571 shares
were outstanding as of the close of business on April 24, 2000 (the "Record
Date"). Only shareholders of record on the books of the Company at the close of
business on the Record Date will be entitled to vote at the Meeting. Each share
of common stock is entitled to one vote.
Representation at the Meeting by the holders of a majority of the
outstanding shares of common stock of the Company, either by personal attendance
or by proxy, will constitute a quorum.
The following table sets forth, as of April 24, 2000, the only persons known
to the Company to be the beneficial owners of more than 5% of the Company's
common stock:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AMOUNT AND NATURE OF
NAME AND ADDRESS BENEFICIAL PERCENT OF
OF BENEFICIAL OWNER OWNERSHIP(1) CLASS(2)
- ------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
Hans and Vivian Buehler ............................... 1,373,800 shs.(3) 17.0%
3025 East Victoria Street
Rancho Dominguez, CA 90221
Jonathan Vannini ...................................... 714,333 shs.(4) 9.3%
828 Irwin Drive
Hillsborough, CA 94010
James and Nancy Grosfeld .............................. 789,100 shs.(5) 10.3%
20500 Civic Center Drive
Suite 3000
Southfield, MI 48076
Dimensional Fund Advisors Inc. ........................ 529,600 shs.(6) 6.9%
1299 Ocean Avenue
11th Floor
Santa Monica, CA 90401
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
(1) Except as otherwise indicated and subject to applicable community property
and similar laws, the Company assumes that each named person has the sole
voting and investment power with respect to such person's shares.
(2) Percent of class is based on the number of shares outstanding on the Record
Date plus, in the case of Mr. Buehler and Mr. Vannini, the number of shares
which each of Mr. Buehler and Mr. Vannini has the right to purchase pursuant
to options which are either currently exercisable or exercisable within 60
days.
(3) Includes 372,500 shares which are subject to options held by Mr. Buehler
which are either currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days. Golden
Band, L.P., a California limited partnership, owns of record 944,000 shares
of common stock of the Company. Longview Enterprises, Inc., a California
corporation, is the sole general partner of Golden Band, L.P. and owns a 1%
limited partner interest in Golden Band, L.P. Mr. and Mrs. Buehler each owns
a 50% interest in Longview Enterprises, Inc. as Co-Trustees of the Buehler
Living Trust, dated August 22, 1990 (the "Trust"). The Trust also owns a
99.07% limited partner interest in West Main Street, L.P., a California
limited partnership, which owns a 94.16597% limited partner interest in
Golden Band, L.P. Mr. and Mrs. Buehler disclaim the beneficial ownership of
53,900.3 shares held by Golden Band, L.P. Includes 111,000 shares held by a
charitable foundation of which Mr. and Mrs. Buehler are directors and
officers, beneficial ownership of which Mr. and Mrs. Buehler disclaim.
(4) Includes 3,333 shares which are subject to options held by Mr. Vannini which
are either currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days. Pursuant to
a Settlement Agreement, dated November 6,
2
<PAGE>
1998, between the Company and Mr. Vannini, the Company agreed to: (i)
repurchase certain shares of the Company's common stock, and (ii) reimburse
Mr. Vannini for $400,000 in legal fees and expenses, in addition to other
matters described herein. In exchange, Mr. Vannini agreed to: (i) abandon
his demand for a special meeting of shareholders and plans for proxy
solicitation, (ii) refrain from acquiring securities which would result in
him owning more than 20% of the Company's outstanding shares, (iii) vote his
shares in the same proportion that all other shares are voted, (iv) refrain
from contesting or soliciting proxies, (v) refrain from transferring his
shares to more than 5% shareholders, (v) refrain from activities resulting
in a change of control of the Company or a tender offer for its securities,
and (vi) refrain from initiating or participating in any derivative suit
against any officer or director of the Company.
(5) Based on an Amendment No. 1 to Schedule 13G filed on November 12, 1999 James
and Nancy Grosfeld share voting and dispositive power over these shares.
(6) Based on a Schedule 13G filed on February 3, 2000, Dimensional Fund Advisors
Inc. has sole voting and dispositive power.
The Company knows of no contractual arrangements which may at a subsequent
date result in a change of control of the Company.
STOCK OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the shares of
the Company's common stock beneficially owned as of April 24, 2000 by (i) each
director and director nominee, (ii) the executive officers identified in the
Summary Compensation Table below, and (iii) all directors, director nominees and
executive officers of the Company as a group:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AMOUNT AND
NATURE OF
BENEFICIAL PERCENT OF
NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER OWNERSHIP(1) CLASS(2)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
Hans H. Buehler.................................................................... 1,373,800(3) 17.0%
Robert L. Gates.................................................................... 164,012(4) 2.1
Robert H. Goon..................................................................... 6,500 *
Edwin A. Levy...................................................................... 101,433(5) 1.3
Lee E. Mikles...................................................................... 80,000(6) 1.0
Paul A. Novelly.................................................................... 33,333(7) *
Jonathan P. Vannini................................................................ 714,333(8) 9.3
Norman Fujitaki.................................................................... 13,666(9) *
Ramon F. Ibarra.................................................................... 68,408(10) *
Todd L. Smith...................................................................... 34,882(11) *
Kathleen H. Wainwright............................................................. 9,999(12) *
All directors, director nominees and executive officers as a group (16 persons).... 2,627,738(13) 31.7%
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
(1) Except as otherwise indicated and subject to applicable community property
and similar laws, to the best of the Company's knowledge and belief, each
person listed has sole voting and investment power as to shares beneficially
owned by such person.
(2) Percent of class is based on the number of shares outstanding on the Record
Date plus, with respect to each named person or group, as applicable, the
number of shares of common stock, if any, which the listed individual or
group has the right to acquire within 60 days. Ownership of less than one
percent is indicated by an asterisk.
3
<PAGE>
(3) Includes 372,500 shares which are subject to options held by Mr. Buehler
which are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days. Golden Band,
L.P., a California limited partnership, owns of record 944,000 shares of
common stock of the Company. Longview Enterprises, Inc., a California
corporation, is the sole general partner of Golden Band, L.P. and owns a 1%
limited partner interest in Golden Band, L.P. Mr. and Mrs. Buehler each owns
a 50% interest in Longview Enterprises, Inc. as Co-Trustees of the Buehler
Living Trust, dated August 22, 1990 (the "Trust"). The Trust also owns a
99.07% limited partner interest in West Main Street, L.P., a California
limited partnership, which owns a 94.16597% limited partner interest in
Golden Band, L.P. Mr. and Mrs. Buehler disclaim the beneficial ownership of
53,900.3 shares held by Golden Band, L.P. Includes 111,000 shares held by a
charitable foundation of which Mr. and Mrs. Buehler are directors and
officers, beneficial ownership of which Mr. and Mrs. Buehler disclaim.
(4) Includes 10,000 shares which are subject to options held by Mr. Gates which
are currently exercisable. Includes 16,625 shares owned by Mr. Gates' wife,
the beneficial ownership of which Mr. Gates disclaims.
(5) Includes 33,333 shares which are subject to options which are either
currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days. Includes 12,400 shares
owned by Mr. Levy's wife, the benficial ownership of which Mr. Levy
disclaims. Includes 300 shares owned by the Carolyne Levy Trust of which
Mr. Levy's wife is the sole beneficiary with investment control, beneficial
ownership of which Mr. Levy disclaims. Includes 600 shares held by
Mr. Levy's wife as custodian for a minor, the beneficial ownership of which
Mr. Levy disclaims. Includes 21,800 shares owned by the Gracy Fund and
20,200 shares owned by the 1st Leveraged Fund, beneficial ownership of which
Mr. Levy disclaims except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.
(6) Includes 30,000 shares which are subject to options which are either
currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days. Includes 40,000 shares
owned by Kodiak Opportunity, L.P. ("Kodiak"), of which Mikles/Miller
Management, Inc. ("MMI") is the general partner. Mr. Mikles is a principal
shareholder of MMI and disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares owned by
Kodiak.
(7) All shares are subject to options which are either currently exercisable or
exercisable within 60 days. Does not include 238,250 shares owned by the
Novelly Exempt Trust, U/I/T dated 8/12/92. Mr. Novelly disclaims beneficial
ownership of these shares.
(8) Includes 3,333 shares which are subject to options which are either
currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days (see Note 4 to the table
of stock ownership under "Voting Securities and Principle Shareholders" for
information regarding agreements with Mr. Vannini).
(9) All shares are subject to options which are either currently exercisable or
exercisable within 60 days.
(10) Includes 38,900 shares which are subject to options which are either
currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days.
(11) Includes 8,332 shares which are subject to options which are either
currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days. Also, includes 5,200
shares held in trust for his minor children.
(12) All shares are subject to options which are either currently exercisable or
exercisable within 60 days.
(13) Includes 576,143 shares which are subject to options which are either
currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days.
NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Company's directors are to be elected at each annual meeting of
shareholders. At the Meeting, seven directors are to be elected to serve until
the next annual meeting of shareholders and until their successors are elected
and qualify. The nominees for election as directors at the Meeting set forth in
the
4
<PAGE>
table below are all recommended by the Board of Directors of the Company and are
all incumbent directors of the Company.
In the event that any of the nominees for director should become unable to
serve if elected, it is intended that shares represented by proxies which are
executed and returned will be voted for such substitute nominee(s) as may be
recommended by the Company's existing Board of Directors.
The seven nominee-directors receiving the highest number of votes cast at
the Meeting will be elected as the Company's directors. Subject to certain
exceptions specified below, shareholders of record on the Record Date are
entitled to cumulate their votes in the election of the Company's directors
(i.e., they are entitled to the number of votes determined by multiplying the
number of shares held by them times the number of directors to be elected) and
may cast all of their votes so determined for one person, or spread their votes
among two or more persons as they see fit. No shareholder shall be entitled to
cumulate votes for a given candidate for director unless such candidate's name
has been placed in nomination prior to the vote and the shareholder has given
notice at the Meeting, prior to the voting, of the shareholder's intention to
cumulate his or her votes. If any one shareholder has given such notice, all
shareholders may cumulate their votes for candidates in nomination.
Discretionary authority to cumulate votes is hereby solicited by the Board of
Directors.
The following table sets forth certain information concerning the nominees
for election as directors.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NOMINEE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION AGE
- -------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
Hans H. Buehler......................................... Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board 67
of the Company
Robert L. Gates(2)...................................... Private investor 68
Robert H. Goon.......................................... Attorney 59
Edwin A. Levy(3)........................................ Principal of Levy, Harkins & Co. 62
Lee E. Mikles(3)........................................ Chairman of Mikles/Miller Management, Inc. 44
Paul A. Novelly(2)...................................... President of Apex Oil Company, Inc. 56
Jonathan P. Vannini(2)(3)(4)............................ Private investor 38
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
(1) The Company does not have a nominating committee of the Board of Directors.
The nominees for election as directors at the Meeting were selected by the
Board of Directors of the Company.
(2) Member of the audit committee of the Board of Directors of the Company,
currently consisting of three directors, none of whom is an employee of the
Company. The audit committee held two meetings during the last fiscal year
of the Company in addition to discussions in meetings of the Board of
Directors. The audit committee reviews, acts on, and reports to the Board of
Directors with respect to various auditing and accounting matters, including
the selection of the Company's auditors, the scope of the annual audits, the
nature of non-audit services, fees to be paid to the auditors, the
performance of the Company's auditors, and the accounting practices of the
Company.
(3) Member of the compensation committee of the Board of Directors of the
Company, currently consisting of three directors, neither of whom is an
employee of the Company. The compensation committee held one meeting during
the last fiscal year of the Company in addition to discussions in meetings
of the Board of Directors. See "Executive Compensation and Other
Information--Report of Compensation Committee on Executive Compensation" for
a discussion of the functions performed by the compensation committee.
(4) Included as a nominee pursuant to a Settlement Agreement, dated November 6,
1998, between the Company and Mr. Vannini.
Mr. Buehler is one of the founders of the Company and has been the Chairman
of the Board and a director since the Company's inception in 1980. He also
served as Chief Executive Officer until January 1,
5
<PAGE>
1998 and re-assumed the position of Chief Executive Officer in November 1998.
Mr. Buehler has more than 35 years of experience in the investment-casting
business, including more than 25 years of experience in the manufacture of golf
clubheads.
Mr. Gates was a director of the Company from 1980 to 1996 and was an
employee of the Company from 1982 until December 1993, serving as the Chief
Financial Officer from 1990 until December 1993. He re-joined the Board of
Directors in December 1998.
Mr. Goon has been a director of the Company since December 1999. He also
served as a director of the Company from February 1991 to December 1994. Mr.
Goon has been engaged in the practice of law for 35 years. From before 1995
until November 1999, he was a partner in the law firm of Jeffer, Mangels, Butler
& Marmaro LLP, counsel to the Company. Since November 1999, he has been a sole
practitioner and has been retained by the Company for certain legal services.
Mr. Goon is also a director of Emulex Corporation.
Mr. Levy has been a director of the Company since February 1994. He is one
of the founders of, and since 1979 has been a principal of, Levy, Harkins & Co.,
an investment advisory firm. Mr. Levy is also a director of Quintel
Entertainment Corporation.
Mr. Mikles has been a director of the Company since June 1996. He has been
the Chairman of Mikles/Miller Management, Inc., a professional money management
firm, since October 1992. Mr. Mikles also serves as a director of Imperial
Bancorp and Boss Holdings, Inc. (formerly known as Vista 2000, Inc.)
Mr. Novelly has been a director of the Company since December 14, 1994.
Since 1975, Mr. Novelly has been the President of Apex Oil Company, Inc., a
company which together with its subsidiaries is engaged in oil and gas
exploration, transportation, trading and storage, and coal mining. He is also a
director of Imperial Bancorp, a bank holding company, Boss Holdings, Inc.
(formerly known as Vista 2000, Inc.), and Intrawest Corporation.
Mr. Vannini has been a director of the Company since December 1998. He is a
private investor who was a general partner at HPB Associates, an investment
partnership, until 1996. He was employed by HPB Associates from August 1987
until March 1996. Since February 1993 he has served as an outside director of
Copart, Inc.
There were five meetings of the Board of Directors of the Company during the
last fiscal year of the Company. Each of the directors of the Company attended
75% or more of the aggregate of the total number of meetings of the Board of
Directors held during the period in which he was a director and the total number
of meetings held by all committees of the Board of Directors on which he served
during such period.
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
FEES AND BENEFITS
Each member of the Board of Directors who is not an employee of the Company
receives an annual fee of $10,000, paid in quarterly installments of $2,500, and
a fee of $2,000 for each board meeting attended. The Company also reimburses
directors for expenses related to attending board and committee meetings.
STOCK OPTIONS
Each member of the Board of Directors who is not an employee of the Company
receives automatic grants of options to purchase specified numbers of shares of
common stock of the Company under the Company's 1995 Amended and Restated
Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan (the "Director Plan"). The Director Plan
provides that an option to purchase 30,000 shares of common stock of the Company
will be granted automatically to each Eligible Director (as defined in the
Director Plan) who first
6
<PAGE>
becomes an Eligible Director after December 13, 1995 on the date on which such
director first becomes an Eligible Director.
The Director Plan provides that an option to purchase an additional 10,000
shares of common stock of the Company is granted automatically to each such
director on the third anniversary of the date on which such director first
became an Eligible Director and on each subsequent anniversary of such date if
such director is still an Eligible Director on such anniversary. Pursuant to the
Director Plan, an option to purchase 10,000 shares of common stock of the
Company was granted to each Eligible Director who became a director prior to
December 13, 1995 on the date he first became a director and an option to
purchase an additional 20,000 shares of common stock of the Company was granted
to each such director on December 13, 1995. Pursuant to the Director Plan, an
option to purchase an additional 10,000 shares of common stock of the Company
was granted automatically to each such director on December 13, 1998, and will
be granted on each subsequent December 13 if such director is still an Eligible
Director on such December 13.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND OTHER INFORMATION
The following table sets forth information concerning compensation of the
chief executive officer and the four other most highly compensated executive
officers of the Company for each of the last three completed fiscal years:
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LONG TERM
COMPENSATION
-------------
ANNUAL COMPENSATION STOCK
-------------------- OTHER ANNUAL OPTION ALL OTHER
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR SALARY BONUS COMPENSATION(1) GRANTS(2) COMPENSATION(3)
- --------------------------------- --------- --------- --------- ---------------- ------------- ----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Hans H. Buehler.................. 1999 $ 400,000 $ 400,000 -0- -0-
Chairman of the Board and Chief 1998 478,000 -0- 50,000 -0-
Executive Officer 1997 500,000 300,000 200,000(4) -0-
Ramon F. Ibarra.................. 1999 158,200 35,500 -0- $ 451(5)
Vice President--Manufacturing 1998 156,000 20,000 10,000 31,645(6)
1997 160,000 75,000 8,400(7) 2,315(8)
Kathleen H. Wainwright........... 1999 158,200 29,500 -0- 427(9)
Senior Vice President--Sales 1998 156,000 20,000 10,000 434(10)
1997 140,000 75,000 4,700(7) 1,536(11)
Norman Fujitaki.................. 1999 148,300 28,500 -0- 913(12)
Chief Financial Officer 1998 146,000 14,800 5,000 554(13)
1997 152,200 19,200 6,600(14) 620(15)
Todd L. Smith.................... 1999 141,100 35,500 -0- 401(16)
Executive Vice President-- 1998 138,900 18,200 5,000 284(18)
Operations(17) 1997 142,700 20,000 5,100(7) 2,060
</TABLE>
- --------------------------
(1) Except where indicated in this table, perquisites and other personal
benefits did not in the aggregate equal or exceed the lesser of $50,000 for
any named individual or 10 percent of the total of annual salary and bonus
reported in this table for such person.
(2) Number of shares of the Company's common stock subject to stock options
granted to the named individual under the Company's employee stock option
plan.
(3) All amounts and the notes thereto are as of December 31 of the applicable
year.
(4) Represents shares subject to an option which was granted in 1996 and
repriced in 1997.
(5) Includes $1,018 of contributions made by the Company to the Company's 401(k)
retirement savings plan offset by highly compensated employee refund of $567
from calendar year 1998 issued in 1999. All of the Company's contribution of
$1,018 is vested.
7
<PAGE>
(6) Includes $31,926 for relocation expenses and $1,016 of contributions made by
the Company to the Company's 401(k) retirement savings plan offset by highly
compensated employee refund of $1,297 from calendar year 1997 issued in
1998. All of the Company's contribution of $1,016 is vested.
(7) Represents shares subject to an option which was granted in 1993 and
repriced in 1997.
(8) Includes $2,477 of contributions made by the Company to the Company's 401(k)
retirement savings plan offset by highly compensated employee refund of $162
from calendar year 1996 issued in 1997. All of the Company's contribution of
$2,477 is vested.
(9) Includes $1,582 of contributions made by the Company to the Company's 401(k)
retirement savings plan offset by highly compensated employee refund of
$1,155 from calendar year 1998 issued in 1999. All of the Company
contribution of $1,582 is vested.
(10) Includes $1,551 of contributions made by the Company to the Company's
401(k) retirement savings plan offset by highly compensated employee refund
of $1,117 from calendar year 1997 issued in 1998. All of the Company's
contribution of $1,551 is vested.
(11) Includes $1,825 of contributions made by the Company to the Company's
401(k) retirement savings plan offset by highly compensated employee refund
of $289 from calendar year 1996 issued in 1997. All of the Company's
contribution of $1,825 is vested.
(12) Represents $2,224 of contributions made by the Company to the Company's
401(k) retirement savings plan offset by highly compensated employee refund
of $1,311 from calendar year 1998 issued in 1999. All of the Company's
contribution of $2,224 is vested.
(13) Represents $1,724 of contributions made by the Company to the Company's
401(k) retirement savings plan, offset by highly compensated employee refund
of $1,170 from calendar year 1997 issued in 1998. The vested portion of the
Company's contribution of $1,724 is $1,379 and the remainder is unvested.
(14) Represents shares subject to an option which was granted in 1994 and
repriced in 1997.
(15) Represents $1,457 of contributions made by the Company to the Company's
401(k) retirement savings plan offset by highly compensated refund of $837
from calendar year 1996 issued in 1997. The vested portion of the Company's
contribution of $1,457 is $874.
(16) Represents $2,116 of contributions made by the Company to the Company's
401(k) retirement savings plan offset by highly compensated employee refund
of $1,715 from calendar year 1998 issued in 1999. All of the Company's
contribution of $2,116 is vested.
(17) Mr. Smith was promoted to the position of Executive Vice
President--Operations in February 2000.
(18) Represents $2,084 of contributions made by the Company to the Company's
401(k) retirement savings plan offset by highly compensated employee refund
of $1,800 from calendar year 1997 issued in 1998. All of the Company's
contribution of $2,084 is vested.
SUPPLEMENTAL EXECUTIVE RETIREMENT PLAN
In September 1996, the Company adopted a supplemental executive retirement
plan (the "Plan") to provide deferred compensation benefits to a select group of
management employees. As originally adopted, the Plan provided a maximum
retirement benefit at age 65 (or age 55 under certain circumstances) of 70% of
final average salary, which accrued ratably over ten years of Plan
participation. In December 1998, the Board amended and restated the Plan to
reduce the maximum retirement benefit to 50% of final average salary and include
an offset for estimated retirement benefits provided by Social Security (the
"Retirement Offset"). Additional key employees were also included as
participants. The amendment and restatement of the Plan freezes benefits at the
levels accrued as of December 31, 1997 for all participants as of that date,
except that Hans Buehler voluntarily withdrew as a participant in the Plan and
relinquished all of his accrued benefits under the Plan. Each participant with
an accrued benefit as of December 31, 1997 who continues to be employed after
amendment of the Plan is entitled (subject to vesting and other conditions
imposed by the Plan) to the greater of his or her benefit as of December 31,
1997 (the "Prior Accrued Benefit") or the accrued benefit determined under the
revised benefit formula, which counts service prior to amendment of the Plan for
purposes of determining accrued benefits.
8
<PAGE>
The final average salary is the participant's average annual salary
(excluding bonuses and other non-regular forms of compensation) earned from the
Company (before adjustments for contributions to Company-sponsored employee
benefit plans) during the three highest salary years of the five-year period
ending on the December 31 next preceding the earlier of termination of
employment or the date on which the participant qualifies for retirement.
Benefits do not vest until a participant has participated in the Plan for five
years. The retirement benefit accrues ratably over 25 years of service
(including periods prior to adoption of the Plan and with certain predecessor
employers) at two percent (2%) per year (up to a maximum of 25 years of
service), with the actual retirement benefit being dependent on years of service
with the Company and designated predecessors at the actual time of retirement.
The formula is also subject to the Prior Accrued Benefit and the Retirement
Offset. The following table sets forth approximate annual retirement benefits
for retirement at age 65, expressed as a single life annuity, which would be
payable under the Plan without regard to the Prior Accrued Benefit or the
Retirement Offset:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS OF PARTICIPATION
AVERAGE ANNUAL -------------------------------------------
COMPENSATION 5 15 25
- -------------------------------------------------------------- --------- --------------------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
$125,000...................................................... 12,500 37,500 62,500
150,000....................................................... 15,000 45,000 75,000
175,000....................................................... 17,500 52,500 87,500
200,000....................................................... 20,000 60,000 100,000
225,000....................................................... 22,500 67,500 112,500
250,000....................................................... 25,000 75,000 125,000
300,000....................................................... 30,000 90,000 150,000
</TABLE>
Mr. Ibarra, Ms. Wainwright, Mr. Fujitaki and Mr. Smith are the executive
officers named in the Summary Compensation Table who are continuing participants
in the Plan. The average salary of Mr. Ibarra, Ms. Wainwright, Mr. Fujitaki and
Mr. Smith for purposes of the Plan does not differ substantially from that set
forth in the annual compensation columns of the Summary Compensation Table. Mr.
Ibarra has 19 years of benefit accrual service and four years of credited
participation service, Ms. Wainwright has 11 years of benefit accrual service
and three years of credited participation service under the Plan. Mr. Fujitaki
has five years of benefit accrual service and two years of credited
participation under the Plan. Mr. Smith has 18 years of benefit accrual service
and two years of credited participation under the Plan. The benefits listed in
the table above do not reflect the Social Security Offset or the Prior Accrued
Benefits.
OPTION GRANTS DURING 1999
There were no grants to officers for the year ended December 31, 1999.
9
<PAGE>
OPTION EXERCISES IN 1999 AND YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
The following table sets forth information concerning stock options which
were exercised during, or held at the end of, 1999 by the officers identified in
the Summary Compensation Table:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF
UNEXERCISED OPTIONS AT VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
SHARES DECEMBER 31, 1999(1) IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS (2)
ACQUIRED ON VALUE -------------------------- -------------------------
NAME EXERCISE REALIZED EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE
- ----------------------------------- --------------- ----------- ----------- ------------- ---------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Hans H. Buehler.................... -0- -0- 372,500 -0- 1,225,625 -0-
Ramon F. Ibarra.................... -0- -0- 35,567 10,000 180,669 30,000
Kathleen Wainwright................ -0- -0- 6,666 13,334 19,998 40,002
Norman Fujitaki.................... -0- -0- 12,000 5,000 74,708 15,000
Todd L. Smith...................... -0- -0- 6,666 8,334 19,998 25,002
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
(1) Shares of common stock.
(2) Value based on closing sale price of $16.625 per share on December 31, 1999.
REPORT OF COMPENSATION COMMITTEE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors makes this report on
executive compensation pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary set forth in any of the Company's previous filings
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended, that might incorporate future filings, including this Proxy
Statement, in whole or in part, this report and the graph which follows this
report shall not be incorporated by reference into any such filings, and such
information shall be entitled to the benefits provided in Item 402(a)(9).
The Compensation Committee reviews the performance of the executive officers
of the Company, makes recommendations to the Board of Directors as to their
compensation, and reviews the compensation programs for other key employees,
including salary and cash bonus levels. The Compensation Committee also
administers the Company's employee stock option plan (the "Employee Plan") and
authorizes grants of options to officers and other key employees based on
recommendations of Management.
COMPENSATION POLICIES AND PHILOSOPHY
The Company's executive compensation policies are designed to attract,
retain and reward executive officers who contribute to the Company's success, to
provide economic incentives for executive officers to achieve the Company's
business objectives by linking their compensation to the performance of the
Company, to strengthen the relationship between executive pay and shareholder
value and to reward individual performance. The Company uses a combination of
base salary, cash bonuses, and stock options to achieve these objectives.
The Compensation Committee considers a number of factors, including the
level and types of compensation paid to persons in similar positions by
comparable companies. In addition, the Compensation Committee evaluates
corporate performance by looking at factors such as performance relative to
competitors, performance relative to business conditions and the success of the
Company in meeting its financial objectives. The Compensation Committee also
reviews the performance of each executive officer, including a review of his or
her ability to meet individual performance objectives, demonstration of job
knowledge and skills and the ability to work with others toward the achievement
of the Company's goals.
10
<PAGE>
COMPONENTS OF COMPENSATION
Executive officer salaries are established in relation to a range of
salaries for comparable positions in companies of comparable size and
complexity. The Company seeks to pay salaries to executive officers that are
commensurate with the qualifications, duties and responsibilities and that are
competitive in the marketplace. In making its annual salary recommendations, the
Compensation Committee looks at the Company's financial position and
performance, the contribution of the individual executive officers during the
prior fiscal year in helping to meet the Company's financial and business
objectives as well as the executive officers' performance of their individual
responsibilities.
Cash bonuses are used to provide executive officers with financial
incentives to meet quarterly and annual performance targets of the Company.
Performance targets and bonus recommendations for executives other than the
chairman of the board and the chief executive officer are proposed by the chief
executive officer, reviewed and, when appropriate, revised by the Compensation
Committee and approved by the Board of Directors. Personal goals and bonus
recommendations for the chairman of the board and the chief executive officer
are recommended by the Compensation Committee and approved by the Board. Cash
bonuses were paid to Ramon Ibarra, Kathleen Wainwright, Norman Fujitaki and Todd
Smith in 1999 based on the Company's performance in 1999.
The Compensation Committee believes that equity ownership by executive
officers provides incentives to build shareholder value and align the interests
of executive officers with the interests of shareholders. Upon hiring executive
officers, the Compensation Committee typically recommends stock option grants to
the officers under the Employee Plan, subject to applicable vesting periods.
Thereafter, the Compensation Committee considers awarding additional grants
under the Employee Plan. The Compensation Committee believes that these
additional grants provide incentives for executive officers to remain with the
Company. Options are granted at the current market price for the Company's
common stock and, consequently, have value only if the price of the Company's
common stock increases over the exercise price. In determining the size of the
periodic grants the Compensation Committee considers prior option grants to the
executive officer, the executive's performance during the current fiscal year
and his or her expected contributions during the succeeding fiscal year.
COMPENSATION OF THE PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER
The Compensation Committee reviews the performance of the chairman of the
board and the chief executive officer of the Company, as well as other executive
officers of the Company, annually. Mr. Buehler received a bonus in 1999, based
on the performance of the Company in 1999.
Members of the Compensation Committee
Jonathan P. Vannini Edwin A. Levy Lee E. Mikles
SHAREHOLDER RETURN PERFORMANCE PRESENTATION
The graph below compares the cumulative total shareholder return on the
Company's common stock with the cumulative total return on the Russell 2000 and
a peer group index for the period commencing on December 30, 1994 and ending on
December 31, 1999. The data set forth below assumes the value of an investment
in the Company's common stock and each index was $100 on December 30, 1994.
11
<PAGE>
COMPARISON OF FIVE YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
SINCE DECEMBER 30, 1994
EDGAR REPRESENTATION OF DATA POINTS USED IN PRINTED GRAPHIC
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
COASTCAST PEER
<S> <C> <C> <C>
CORPORATION RUSSELL 2000 GROUP INDEX*
12/30/94 100.00 100.00 100.00
12/29/95 86.16 96.87 70.72
12/31/96 123.42 97.20 31.79
12/31/97 118.08 113.28 32.28
12/31/98 90.98 138.45 30.41
12/31/99 172.86 169.67 42.64
</TABLE>
* Peer Group Index consists of Aldila Inc. and Royal Grip, Inc. through
September 3, 1997, and Aldila Inc. and Royal Precision, Inc. (formerly named FM
Precision, Inc. and successor to Royal Grip, Inc.) from September 3, 1997
through December 31, 1999.
RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The accounting firm of Deloitte & Touche LLP serves the Company as its
independent auditors at the direction of the Board of Directors of the Company.
One or more representatives of Deloitte & Touche LLP are expected to be present
at the Meeting and will have an opportunity to make a statement if they desire
to do so and to be available to respond to appropriate questions.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the ratification of the
selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the independent auditors for the Company
for fiscal year 2000. This matter is not required to be submitted for
shareholder approval, but the Board of Directors has elected to seek
ratification of its selection of the independent auditors by the affirmative
vote of a majority of the shares represented and voting at the Meeting (which
affirmative vote must equal or exceed a majority of the quorum required for the
Meeting).
Notwithstanding the ratification by shareholders of the appointment of
Deloitte & Touche LLP, the Board of Directors may, if the circumstances dictate,
appoint other independent accountants.
12
<PAGE>
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
Shareholders intending to submit proposals for presentation at the 2001
Annual Meeting of Shareholders and inclusion in the Proxy Statement and proxy
card for such meeting must submit the proposal in writing to the Secretary of
the Company at the address of the Company set forth on the first page of this
Proxy Statement no later than January 6, 2001. Shareholders who intend to
present a proposal at the 2001 Annual Meeting of Shareholders without inclusion
of such proposal in the Company's proxy materials are required to provide notice
of such proposal to the Secretary no earlier than February 11, 2001 and no later
than April 12, 2001.
ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS
The Annual Report to Shareholders of the Company for the year ended December
31, 1999, including audited consolidated financial statements, has been mailed
to the shareholders concurrently herewith, but such report is not incorporated
in this Proxy Statement and is not deemed to be a part of the proxy solicitation
material.
OTHER MATTERS
Management of the Company does not know of any other matters which are to be
presented for action at the Meeting. Should any other matters come before the
Meeting or any adjournment thereof, the persons named in the enclosed proxy will
have the discretionary authority to vote all proxies received with respect to
such matters in accordance with their collective judgment.
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
A copy of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (exclusive of Exhibits), will be furnished
without charge to any person from whom the accompanying proxy is solicited upon
written request to Corporate Secretary, Coastcast Corporation, 3025 East
Victoria Street, Rancho Dominguez, California 90221. If Exhibit copies are
requested, a copying charge of $.20 per page will be made.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Norman Fujitaki
Secretary
Rancho Dominguez, California
April 28, 2000
SHAREHOLDERS ARE URGED TO SPECIFY THEIR CHOICES AND TO DATE, SIGN, AND
RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. PROMPT RESPONSE IS HELPFUL
AND YOUR COOPERATION WILL BE APPRECIATED.
13
<PAGE>
COASTCAST CORPORATION
3025 EAST VICTORIA STREET
RANCHO DOMINGUEZ, CALIFORNIA 90221
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned hereby appoints Hans H. Buehler and Edwin A. Levy as Proxies,
each with the power to appoint his substitute, and hereby authorizes them or
either of them to represent and to vote as designated below, all the shares
of common stock of Coastcast Corporation held of record by the undersigned on
April 24, 2000, at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on June 21,
2000, or any adjournment thereof.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-- FOLD AND DETACH HERE --
<PAGE>
Please mark
your votes as
indicated in
this example /X/
1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
/ / FOR all nominees below (EXCEPT AS MARKED TO THE CONTRARY BELOW)
/ / WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR ALL NOMINEES LISTED BELOW
INSTRUCTIONS: TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR ANY INDIVIDUAL NOMINEE MARK
THE LINES NEXT TO THE NOMINEE'S NAME BELOW:
Hans H. Buehler ______ Robert L. Gates ______ Robert H. Goon ______
Edwin A. Levy ______ Lee E. Mikles ______ Paul A. Novelly ______
Jonathan P. Vannini ______
2. RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
/ / FOR / / AGAINST / / ABSTAIN
3. In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote upon such other
business as may properly come before the meeting.
THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED
HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED SHAREHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY
WILL BE VOTED FOR PROPOSALS 1 AND 2.
Please sign exactly as name appears below. When shares are held by joint
tenants, both should sign. When signing as attorney, as executor,
administrator, trustee, or guardian, please give full title as such. If a
corporation, please sign in full corporate name by President or other
authorized officer. If a partnership, please sign in partnership name by
authorized person.
Signature(s) Dated , 2000
--------------------------------------------------- -----
PLEASE READ, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE
PROXY CARD PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-- FOLD AND DETACH HERE --
